365 5th Avenue NY | CUNY Graduate Center
This landmark building was once the B. Altman Department Store before the City University of New York (CUNY) took over the building in 1999 to house its Graduate Center. The renovated site hosts 4,600 students, 33 doctoral programs, 7 master’s programs, and 30 research centers and institutes (which focus on areas of social, civic, cultural, and scientific concerns).
Also connected to the institution are four University Center programs: CUNY Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies through which undergraduates can earn individualized bachelor’s degrees by completing courses at any of the CUNY colleges; the CUNY School of Professional Studies and the associated Joseph S. Murphy Institute for Worker Education and Labor Studies; the recently established CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, which offers a master’s degree in journalism; and Macaulay’s Honor College. In addition, the Graduate Center extends its intellectual and cultural resources to the general public, offering access to a wide range of events, including lectures, symposia, performances, and workshops.
350 5th Avenue NY | Empire State Building
One of the best-known skyscrapers in the world, the Empire State Building, completed in 1931, was the world’s tallest building (with 102 floors), until the World Trade Center was built in Lower Manhattan in 1972. Since then, other taller buildings came along in other cities around the world, such as the Willis Tower and Trump International Hotel and Tower (both in Chicago), and the Burj Khalifa building in Dubai.
Nevertheless, many tourists are still drawn to the Empire State Building to visit the observation deck on the 86th floor. There, one can see impressive 360-degree views of New York City. There is also a smaller observation deck on the building’s 102nd floor. Interestingly, the Empire State Building generates more income from ticket sales to its observation decks than from office rentals. Various television and radio stations have transmitting antennas located at the top of the building.
On the Empire State Building’s first floor (facing 5th Avenue) is a Walgreen’s drug store, and a “Heartland Brewery” restaurant (known for its distinctive craft beers and burgers).
175 5th Avenue NY | Origins
Located at the street level of the historic Flatiron Building, Origins is an American cosmetics retailer that offers natural plant and organic-based skincare, makeup, and bath & body products. The firm was launched in 1990 by Leonard Lauder (son of renown cosmetics mogul Estee Lauder) to appeal to the growing legions of “eco-conscious” consumers.
Flatiron Building, a functioning 22-floor office building whose name was derived by the clothes iron shape of its roof, was built in 1902 – which at the time was one of the tallest buildings in New York.
149 5th Avenue NY | Ann Taylor
At 149 5th Avenue you´ll find American retailers and the chain of “Ann Taylor” retail stores (which sells apparel collections aimed at affluent career women) does not refer to a person or designer of that name. “Ann Taylor” is simply the name a fine women’s apparel store first launched in New Haven, Connecticut by local businessman Richard Liebeskind in 1954.
The eventual emergence of career women in major U.S. cities over the years helped made the store popular, with nearly 1,000 stores by the end of 2012. Like the other store locations, this one offers classic styled suits, separates, dresses, shoes and accessories.
Ann Taylor is best-known for using Hollywood actresses and other prominent women to market its latest lines, such as Demi Moore, Katie Holmes, Milla Jovovich, Kate Hudson, Naomi Watts – displaying large ads of them in front of their stores.
142 5th Avenue NY | American Apparel
This apparel retailer has a modest presence in this stretch of 5th Avenue, and is best-known for its extensive selection of wardrobe basics (t-shirts, leggings, tights) in all sorts of colors. Aside from its ad campaigns (posters of employees in provocative poses), part of its marketing centers around its slogan “Sweatshop Free. Made in USA.”
American Apparel opened this 5,200 sq. foot location in 2006 – making it the retailer’s 15th location in Manhattan and Brooklyn in a three-year-period. Its affordable prices already won over the college crowd, as well as other young female residents.
140 5th Avenue NY | Aveda
This cosmetics store is known as the “Aveda Environmental Lifestyle Store” selling that brand’s signature natural “eco-friendly” skin and hair care products. Customer service is emphasized in the store’s marketing efforts complete with free samples.
One customer noted: “shoppers are encouraged to try all the products. You are greeted with a beverage and mini-treatment at your request. Leaving without purchasing something is impossible.” Another consumer valued Aveda for marketing “effective and safe cleansing products for the hair, face and body.”
Aveda is known not only for its retail locations in New York and elsewhere, but for its partnerships with various salons and spas that use its products, which explains the high street-level visibility of its brand.
136 5th Ave NY | White House Black Market
This American apparel retailer was originally known as “The White House” back in 1985, a tiny women’s boutique exclusively offering white and ivory apparel and accessories opened its doors in Baltimore, Maryland. The same owners then opened another retailer (Black Market) in 1995 – selling only apparel in alluring shades of black. The two stores and their concepts were combined in 1997, creating “White House | Black Market” stores selling clothing and accessories only in shades of the timeless colors of white and black.
The casual and contemporary designs this store offers appeal to women 25 years of age and older. This store also sells collections of lingerie, shoes, jewelry and gifts. One shopper said the store was “an enjoyable shopping experience that usually results in several good buys.” This outlet is also known for its fashion book promotions.
By 2011, there were 351 “White House | Black Market” boutiques and 24 outlet stores throughout the USA, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
135 5th Avenue NY | Kate Spade
American fashion designer Kate Spade chose this Lower Fifth Avenue location since her quirky unique designer apparel would be a good pick among young female college students and residents.
In attempts to appeal to a younger crowd and generate foot traffic, Spade’s company is relying heavily on Web-based marketing and e-commerce sales. Facebook is currently Kate Spade New York’s biggest digital marketing channel with 700,000 fans, followed by Twitter and Pinterest.
133 5th Avenue NY | Michael Kors
Reflecting the change in the times, New York-based designer Michael Kors took over a retail spot in this Lower Fifth Avenue location in 2010 that was formerly rented by Italian apparel maker Benetton. This 2,500 sq. foot store has a solid representation of Kors’ ladies apparel line (which has gone from being an upscale apparel retailer to a lifestyle brand).
Like other designer brand stores, such as Armani Exchange, this store location’s main appeal is that it’s outside of the Soho shopping district, where mobs of tourists and local (mostly female) shoppers render that area a difficult shopping destination, and a challenge for those who value customer service.
129 5th Avenue NY | Armani Exchange
Unlike its pricier boutiques on Madison Avenue, “Armani Exchange” exists to attract a younger crowd given to street wear (jeans, t-shirts, casual dress shirts and blouses). Apparel bearing the ”A/X” logo is meant for nightclub hoppers.
Men’s apparel range from “Miami Vice”-style linen jackets to bomber jackets, and various activewear items. BEWARE: even ”casual” items tend to be on the pricier side, meaning that consumers are paying as much for the “Armani” name as they’re paying for the garments themselves.
This store’s main appeal rests in its very location – it is NOT the “Armani Exchange” at Soho –which tends to be overcrowded, and customer service being a real challenge.
